Eight domains of action in Resolution A/53/243(UN Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace)*Culture of peace through education*Sustainable economic and social development*Respect for all human rights*Equality between women and men*Democratic participation*Understanding, tolerance and solidarity*Free flow of information and knowledge*International peace and security

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity

INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

We work closely with many NGOs and municipal associations. A partial list of primary partners would be:

Japan Council of Nuclear Free Local Authorities

US Conference of Mayors

United Cities and Local Governments

Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament

Global Security Institute

Middle Powers Initiative

International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War

International Peace Bureau

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

Abolition 2000 (and many members individually)

World Council of Religions for Peace

And many many more

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons, 2020 Vision Campaign (to ban nuclear weapons by 2020), Good Faith Challenge (to go back to the World Court to ask if the nuclear-weapon states have been acting in good faith with regard to their disarmament obligation), Cities Are Not Targets (CANT: demanding assurances from nuclear-weapon states that no cities are targeted by nuclear weapons), Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol to the NPT (a roadmap to a nuclear-weapon-free world).

All of these have been campaigns in and around the NPT framework. We have attended all NPT-related conferences, working to build international consensus and coordination among abolitionists. We have held numerous conferences to bring cities and NGOs together to struggle together against nuclear weapons.

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

Yes, the issue of nuclear weapons has gone from total hopelessness and obscurity to a high-priority issue for the international community, including the nuclear-weapon states. Public awareness has increased greatly, but progress here is far from adequate.

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

We do not have the money to run an effective media-based, grassroots-organizing campaign. The economic collapse has made fundraising even more difficult. The lack of funds is our primary obstacle.

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

Based on the outcome of the NPT review conference in May 2010, we will adjust our campaign but will continue to seek consensus and coordination among all the abolitionists. The demand will undoubtedly be that the nuclear-weapon states move immediately to start negotiations to achieve and maintain a nuclear-weapon-free world.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

Two things: 1) all interested organizations need to communicate, cooperate and work together more intimately and effectively, which means devoting serious time to conflict resolution; and 2) all interested organizations must absolutely reject all extra-legal violence, whether state-sponsored (military) or terrorist. The only people whose violence is acceptable should be the police. The police should be allowed to use violence because they operate within a strict body of law that protects bystanders, the criminals, and society as a whole. They are expected to use the minimum of violence required to make an arrest. They are not allowed to kill a whole village because a terrorist might be hiding there. The military, all militaries of all nations, must be seen as barbaric, atavistic and unacceptable. Group on group warfare of any kind for any purpose must be regarded as we now regard male on female violence, slavery, and even cruelty to animals. It is simply not acceptable. You fight it with law, with nonviolent techniques, and with absolute noncooperation. Any soldier with a gun is an outlaw to be shunned and, as soon as possible, arrested by the proper authorities. The so-called war on terror is a giant step backward into barbarism. Anyone who even uses the term should be criticized and shunned.